Two articles in this issue of THE JOURNAL1,2
report that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors
(statins) that reduce blood cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular
disease3 also might substantially reduce the
risk of fractures. The studies are impressively large and well done, and some
clinicians might be tempted to prescribe statins in the hope of preventing
or treating osteoporosis. However, these are observational studies, not randomized
trials, and they do not provide enough certainty for clinicians to begin prescribing
statins to reduce fracture risk.